In 2003, Air Force and Utah played a three-overtime game that remains one of the classic games in Mountain West Conference history.

The Utes won 45-43 on the strength of a battering ram performance by tight end Ben Moa. On key plays, Moa lined up as the lone back in the shotgun formation and tormented the Falcons. On nine carries from the shotgun, Moa gained 26 yards and scored three touchdowns. His third touchdown on a 1-yard burst tied the game at 43 as the third overtime played out. Lined up again in the shotgun for the two-point conversion, Moa fooled Air Force defenders by dumping a short pass over the pile of linemen in front of him to tight end Matt Hansen for the winning two points.

The Utes and Falcons are in Falcon Stadium again Saturday for the first time since 2003. Does the outcome of the game three years ago still haunt the Falcons and encourage Utah? The programs went in different directions, with some thinking it began Air Force’s slide.

The Utes (6-4) have won three straight over Air Force, and the victory in 2003 started them on their way to a school-record 18-game winning streak.

The Falcons entered the 2003 game at 6-2 for the season and with eight winning seasons and one at .500 the previous nine years. But since that crushing overtime loss, the Falcons are 14-20 and have experienced losing seasons the past two years.

“Any time you lose a game like that, it’s disappointing,” AFA coach Fisher DeBerry said. “We’ve played some pretty good games and some pretty good teams since then. I don’t think one game would have an impact like that.”

Utah coach Kyle Wittingham, the Utes’ defensive coordinator in 2003, said it’s a tough question to answer if the game had an adverse effect on the Falcons.

“They’re so resilient and such a group of tough-minded people, I doubt if any one game would lead to that kind of demise,” Wittingham said. “I think there would be many, many different circumstances.”

But the Falcons were 1-2 after playing Utah in 2003, with the only victory over Army. They missed a bowl game. Air Force was 5-6 in 2004, 4-7 last year and are 4-5 going into Saturday’s test.

DeBerry and Wittingham believe the 2003 game will be far from the minds of players Saturday.

“Falcon Stadium is a tough place to play,” Wittingham said. “We’ve had some barnburners and several dramatic finishes with them.”

“Anyone who enjoys competitive football should see this one,” DeBerry said. “There is a lot at stake for both teams.”

GAME BREAKDOWN

Players to watch

Utah (6-4, 4-2): Punter Louie Sakoda has been an important weapon for the Utes in terms of field position. Of his 48 punts, 23 have ended up inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Safety Eric Weddle leads Utes defenders with six interceptions. He also leads in fumble recoveries with two. While not playing defense, Weddle takes a turn at quarterback, usually on short-yardage situations.

Air Force (4-5, 3-2): QB Shaun Carney has completed 59.8 percent of his passes, but only seven for touchdowns. Air Force’s offense is scoring about a touchdown less a game than last year. LB Drew Fowler is nearing the 100 mark, with 91 tackles to his credit in nine games. Air Force defenders have cut last year’s scoring defense of 31.1 points a game to 22.8 points a game.

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